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Re: Free Agent list

"It's just unfortunate that we've been penalized so much this year and nothing has happened to the Pistons, the Palace or the city of Detroit," he said. "It's almost like it's always our fault. The league knows it. They should be ashamed of themselves to let the security be as lax as it is around here."

Re: Free Agent list

Definitely Speedy or Jackson could help out a lot. How's Jackson? Didn't he suffer an injury second half of the season? That's the only thing with him.

Speaking of Gs, obviously Cassell would be a great leadership/tutor addition, but I don't suspect we could offer the salary he'd command. Another combo possibility might be John Salmons. Solid all-around player. Seems more like a utility player as opposed to a front-line PG/SG though. Good defender.

There's some intersting bigs, as well. It would be great if we could address both. IMO the biggest need is a PG with some experience that could come in and just be solid and hopefully demonstrate some professionalism while sharing time with our current guys (or whoever's left on the roster by that point).

Not an FA but I also wouldn't mind getting my hands on Antonio Daniels but I don't think the Wiz are in a hurry to move him.

Re: Free Agent list

The NBA draft and its mind-numbing 15 trades are behind us, so now the focus shifts to free agency. There are a bunch of big men and point guards on the market, not many small forwards and even fewer shooting guards.

This summer's market actually will pale in comparison to next summer's if all the players with opt-outs, including Dirk Nowitzki, Rashard Lewis, Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce, end up exercising them.

But for now, the dominoes likely will begin to fall as soon as Ben Wallace hears what the Detroit Pistons are willing to offer him. If he deems that offer unfair, the whole equation changes.

The Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets and Toronto Raptors will all have significant cap space, though the exact amount will not be known until the new cap is set on July 12. All of them need size, and any of them could make a run at Wallace if he and his new agent, Arn Tellem, don't like Detroit's offer.

With that huge unknown hanging in the balance, we enter the free agency season -- which officially begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday when teams can begin contacting free agents and offering extensions to the draft class of '03 -- with an updated top 25:

1. Ben Wallace, Pistons
On the night the Pistons were eliminated from the playoffs in Miami, Wallace was pressed by reporters on whether he'd be returning to the Pistons. "Everyone knows where my heart is," Wallace said before pausing for effect. "It's in my chest." Wallace's relationship with coach Flip Saunders was anything but rosy at the end, and Wallace was miffed that Saunders benched him for the entire fourth quarter of the Game 6 loss to the Heat. A new contract starting at $12,000,001 would make Big Ben the highest-paid Piston and would balloon out to $55.2 million over four years. But would Wallace consider such an offer fair? Insider believes he wouldn't.

2. Al Harrington, Hawks
The Hawks' unsettled ownership situation is throwing a huge wrench into Harrington's future plans; GM Billy Knight certain to be out of a job if Steve Belkin is successful in the courtroom in his fight to take over from his former ownership partners. Atlanta will have first dibs on Harrington, but Knight might be better served to go with the best sign-and-trade offer -- and there will be lots. Count on Indiana, Golden State and Minnesota making a run, and don't count out the Lakers. Another idea that might sound far-fetched but could become plausible is a sign-and-trade with Detroit for Ben Wallace.

3. Jason Terry, Mavericks
Agent Dan Fegan said on the eve of Game 1 of the Finals that Terry expected to get a five- or six-year contract, and Terry enhanced his value the next night by going for 32 points. The Mavs need his outside shooting, and you'd think they'd never let another top-tier point guard get away, but the equation changes if signing Mike James is their backup plan. Terry took a financial risk three years ago when he signed a three-year offer sheet with Utah and Atlanta matched it, and he wants to cash in long-term this time. Fegan is known to aim high with his monetary demands, and Mavs owner Mark Cuban is trying to exercise some degree of fiscal restraint, so this one is another potential wild card.

4. Nene, Nuggets (restricted)
Denver is trying desperately to trade Kenyon Martin in order to free up money to re-sign the Brazilian big man and make a run at the next guy on this list, Bonzi Wells. If July 12 arrives and Martin is still in Denver, teams with significant cap room could offer Nene a front-loaded contract that Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke would have to think twice about matching because of the luxury tax implications. Note: Teams now have seven days to match offers to restricted free agents, down from 15.

5. Bonzi Wells, Kings
In a market short on two guards, especially two guards who can score, Wells is a hotter commodity than his résumé and his reputation might warrant. The general feeling around the league is that no one will step up with an immediate offer to Wells worth more than the mid-level exception, unless they can interest the Kings in a sign-and-trade that bumps Bonzi into the $6-7 million starting salary range.

6. Joel Przybilla, Trail Blazers
One of his primary leverage options disappeared when the Raptors went out and traded for Rasho Nesterovic, but the Bulls and Hornets both need size and have the cap room to afford the premium they'll have to pay for a big man. Remember, nobody gets overpaid in the NBA like centers, and if Samuel Dalembert is worth $8.4 million and Tyson Chandler $9 million, Przybilla will want to be in the same league.

7. Nazr Mohammed, Spurs
San Antonio will deem him expendable if it feels the price is too high. The Spurs believe they can get by at the position in this age of small ball by going more with Tim Duncan at center, backed up by Fabricio Oberto and the incoming Robertas Javtokas. But again, centers are at a premium when they go onto the free agent market, and Mohammed shouldn't have trouble finding a team willing to give him the five-year deal he's seeking.

8. Peja Stojakovic, Pacers
He didn't help his value by sitting out most of the Pacers' first-round loss to Indiana with a knee injury, which partially accounts for his fall to No. 8. Agent David Baumann expects the Pacers to make an offer a few minutes after midnight Friday, "and I also expect to hear from at least two other teams." Much will depend on how lucrative Indiana's offer is. Insider believes five years and $50 million won't get it done, but six years and $70 million probably will.

9. Jared Jeffries, Wizards (restricted)
Another hard-to-find talented, young swingman, and easily the one impending free agent whose stock rose the most in the playoffs. Only 24 years old and a rangy 6-foot-10, his ability to defend on the perimeter will enhance his value as teams look for players with abilities suited to the league's new defensive rules. The Bulls like him, and they'll have enough cap room to get both Jeffries and either of the top two guys on this list.

10. Matt Harpring, Jazz
Kevin O'Connor said re-signing Harpring was the club's top offseason priority, and coach Jerry Sloan loves Harpring's competitiveness and versatility. But will the Jazz be willing to outbid others both in dollars and years? Harpring sounded decidedly undecided about his future after Utah's season ended, saying he wanted to compete for a championship. After eight years in the league, he's never been to the second round of the playoffs.

11. Mike James, Raptors
Hopefully he hasn't taken too many head shots while taking up boxing -- not exactly the brightest hobby we've ever heard of a guy picking up on the eve of going after the biggest payday of his career. Toronto is not interested in making a five-year commitment to a player who will be 31 when next season begins, so look for the Raptors to let him go. If Dallas is really as interested as Insider is hearing, it'll impact the Mavs' decision on Terry.

12. Vladimir Radmanovic, Clippers
Los Angeles is interested in bringing him back, and they can retain him at a discount since Radmanovic waived his Bird rights (and his ability to be moved in a sign-and-trade) when he accepted the deal sending him from the Sonics to the Clippers. But the Bucks could make a run at him if they can find a deal that rids them of Jamaal Magloire so they can move Andrew Bogut to center.

13. Marcus Banks, Timberwolves
He wasn't happy when the Celtics declined to pick up his fourth-year option, but it's going to end up being worth millions to him. Other teams were impressed by his play for the Wolves over the second half of the season when he displaced Marko Jaric as the starter, and a few teams might be prepared to offer him mid-level money. Are the Lakers one of them?

14. Tim Thomas, Suns
The guy sure knows how to perform in a contract year, eh? Thomas re-established his value while starting for Phoenix during the playoffs, and the Suns would like to keep him. They saved $6 million in cap space and an additional $3 million in likely future luxury taxes by trading Brian Grant and their two first-round picks Wednesday. But the guys with first dibs on the big money are Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa, who are up for extensions. Thomas won't get any more than mid-level money on the open market.

15. Sam Cassell, Clippers
If history is to be a guide, Sammy will be complaining about his new contract -- whoever gives him one -- by midseason. His age makes him a less valued commodity than Banks, but his history of being such a clutch player -- his eight-second violation in the playoffs against Phoenix notwithstanding -- will guarantee plenty of interest. In the short term, for a team looking to make a move similar to the one Miami made with Gary Payton, he's a safer bet than most of the other free agent point guards

16. DeShawn Stevenson, Magic
Took a big risk by opting out of the final year of his contract, forfeiting a guaranteed $3 million, and is counting on being a sleeper free agent whose value as a perimeter defender will be recognized and rewarded. Few, if any, benefit more from the dearth of free agent two guards. Eddie House joins that category if he opts out in Phoenix.

17. Drew Gooden, Cavs (restricted)
Had one great playoff game in the opener against Washington, then fell off the face of the earth as Anderson Varejao showed himself to be more than capable of taking over as LeBron James' starting power forward. Look for a sign-and-trade here.

18 . Rasual Butler, Hornets
The outside shooting specialist has come a long way since being the 11th man on the Heat's bench two years ago, and he's earned a payday somewhere in the area of $3 million. If anyone is willing to go north of that number, the Hornets will have to think extra hard about whether they're willing to pay the same.

19. Jackie Butler, Knicks (restricted)
For whatever it's worth, Larry Brown liked him a whole lot more than he liked Eddy Curry. The Cavs like him, and they're looking for someone to be ready to step in behind Zydrunas Ilgauskas. With New York committed to Curry and Jerome James, the Knicks might not match anything long-term.

20. Ronald (Flip) Murray, Cavaliers
Another player who waived his Bird rights by agreeing to a midseason trade last February, he's more valuable to the Cavs than he'd be anywhere else. We'd put Fred Jones here, but Insider believes the Pacers will match any offer the restricted free agent receives.

21. Chris Wilcox, SuperSonics (restricted)
Seattle was quite happy with him after dealing Radmanovic to get him, and they're not about to let him leave. Unless, perhaps, an absurdly front-loaded contract is offered by someone else.

22. Reggie Evans, Nuggets
Would be a nice fit for New Jersey, which is resigned to bringing back Cliff Robinson if nothing better comes along this summer. Melvin Ely of Charlotte would occupy this spot if he weren't a restricted free agent.

23. Lorenzen Wright, Grizzlies
This is where we'll see the Jerome James rule (unproductive centers still get paid) come into effect. Wright is finished in Memphis, but somebody will pick him up for a lot less money than the $7.7 million he made last year.

24. Speedy Claxton, Hornets; Bobby Jackson, Grizzlies
Both want to change employers, but neither will be helped by the glut of point guards out there, and the best they'll be able to do is a sizeable chunk of someone's mid-level. Someone will get good value if either of these guys stays unsigned well into August. There's at least one player who gets squeezed on the free agent market every year.

25. Dalibor Bagaric, Fortitudo Bologna (Italy)
Had a brief stint with the Bulls earlier this decade, but popped back up on scouts' radars after playing against Andrea Bargnani in the Italian League Finals. At 7-2 and 270 pounds, there's a market for him.

Re: Free Agent list

Any one among Terry, Bobby Jackson, Claxton, or even Cassell would let us drop Tinsley for next to nothing and have the position well-covered.

The poster "pacertom" since this forum began (and before!). I changed my name here to "Slick Pinkham" in honor of the imaginary player That Bobby "Slick" Leonard picked late in the 1971 ABA draft (true story!)

Re: Free Agent list

He says that "insider" believes that the Pacers will match any offer. I think that some team will offer him 3/4 of the MLE and the Pacers will not match. And I think that he may be running the "point" in LA's triangle next year. It is the only offense that offers Freddie a position that is not undersized for and has the skills to play.

Re: Free Agent list

Let me make somehting clear. NO WAY WOULD I SIGN PEJHA TO A 6 YEAR 70 MILLION DOLLAR DEAL. NO WAY

There are a few that have my interest.

Certainly Jason Terry, Al Harrington top the list, but Terry isn't going anywhere, and if we re-sign Peja and keep JO, not sure if there is enough playing time available to make it worthwhile to acquire Al Harrington.

One name really has my interest because of his great defense. Marcus Banks. I don't know if he'd wants to play here or how much money he wants, but I would look into signing him without question.

All the other free agent point guards are either getting old or very injury prone.

Cassell - old
Speedy - injury prone
Jackson - old and injury prone.

I keep reading rumors that the Pacers have interest in Bonzi, well I would think twice about signing him, plus I think he's get more than the full MLE and I don't know if a sign and trade is realistic

One player I'd love to add is John Salmons (although he's restricted) but if there is a way to get him, I would be all for it.

The big guys are few and far between. Honestly if we could re-sign Pollard to the min I would do that.

Oh, one other name, Ronald Murray, for the right price and depnding on what we do and who we get to replace Fred and Jax, I'd look at signing him.

Re: Free Agent list

hmm, not really an inspiring list. no one out there that i would want the pacers to target with the full midlevel exception.

on the other hand, i do think we could get a young backup big man to shore up our frontline. not guys like przybilla or nazr, who i believe will be hot commodities and thus overpriced. i'm thinking more of guys like jackie butler (restricted, knicks) and dj mbenga (restricted, mavs). both are quite raw, but could develop the way desagana diop has developed in dallas. i think we can get either of them fairly cheap, since the knicks already have curry and jerome james, while dallas has dampier and diop. maybe at an aj-like 4 years, $10m?

Re: Free Agent list

If the Pacers are looking for PGs, then Marcus Banks should be considered. In the second half of the year he showed that he has quite a bit of potential. He was inconsistent from time-to-time but he did show he could defend, hit the 3, & dish.

How his game fits into the direction the Pacers want to go, I have no idea--but he is out there, & it shouldn't break the bank to get hime.....

Create an ignore list. I know it may seem unneighborly. But you're here to talk about the Pacers, not argue with someone who's just looking for an argument. Most of the regular users on here make use (at least occasionally) of the "Ignore" feature. Just go to "Settings" -> "Edit Ignore List" and add the names.

Re: Free Agent list

Bernard Robinson is a guy who tops my free agent list but I expect him to re-sign with Charolette because he would get a lot of playing time I imagne. I think he would be a nice addition though as a backup to replace Freddie.

Melvin Ely is another guy who has been on everyone's radar for a while. He would be solid. I don't know that he is much of a shot blocker and that is something I want to see the Pacers add down low is a shot blocker.

Fransico Elson might be decent. Although again I don't know how much of a shot blocker he is and he doesn't weigh anything.

Ronald Dupree/Trevor Ariza are both solid defenders I believe. Only both are more of small forwards than SG and I think we would be wanting them as backup 2 guards mostly.

Not to many free agents worth talking about. The only help I think we can get from free agency is getting a back up shooting guard/small forward. Maybe a back up power forward to but slim pickings.

Re: Free Agent list

Can someone tell me how the Bulls are able to do so well AND still be way under the cap year after year?

Geez.....they completely rebuilt from scratch after the Jordan era.......had very successful drafts after moving Brand....and have a bunch of starting level / very solid backup players that they properly developed....at very cheap prices.

They have a better record then us.......younger then us....and lucky enough to have players that a stupid GM like Zeke would give up top draft picks for.

Create an ignore list. I know it may seem unneighborly. But you're here to talk about the Pacers, not argue with someone who's just looking for an argument. Most of the regular users on here make use (at least occasionally) of the "Ignore" feature. Just go to "Settings" -> "Edit Ignore List" and add the names.

Re: Free Agent list

Bernard Robinson is a guy who tops my free agent list but I expect him to re-sign with Charolette because he would get a lot of playing time I imagne. I think he would be a nice addition though as a backup to replace Freddie.

Melvin Ely is another guy who has been on everyone's radar for a while. He would be solid. I don't know that he is much of a shot blocker and that is something I want to see the Pacers add down low is a shot blocker.

Fransico Elson might be decent. Although again I don't know how much of a shot blocker he is and he doesn't weigh anything.

Ronald Dupree/Trevor Ariza are both solid defenders I believe. Only both are more of small forwards than SG and I think we would be wanting them as backup 2 guards mostly.

Not to many free agents worth talking about. The only help I think we can get from free agency is getting a back up shooting guard/small forward. Maybe a back up power forward to but slim pickings.

I seem to recall someone here in PD saying that Bernard Robinson is underrated as a player. On Hoopshype.com.....his profile indicates that he is a "good athelete with nice defensive skills...his jumpshot lacks consistency".

Good enough for me.....but the problem is that the he's a good roleplayer...especially if Morrison isn't so good on defense...given the amount of capspace Charlotte has.....I find it difficult to sign him...even if we overpay him. Same goes for Ely...but I suspect that other teams would be vying for his services.

I have touted Francisco Elson from the start of this season. If you recall...he's the guy that injured JONeal a couple of years ago. To me...he's a very solid PF/C Shotblocking and rebounding role player. He's fairly young....and most importantly...I really think he is the "enforcer/intimidator" type player that will make those "quick guards that drive to the hoop" think twice. I've always believed that all we really need is a solid PF/C that can rebound and block shots that can play next to JONeal to absorb the abuse that JONeal is shying away from.

In this uptempo offense....we don't need slowfooted Centers like Magliore....we need guys that can keep up with the rest of the team. I could be wrong...but I don't get the impression that he is slow. I checked his profile on hoopshype.com and it says that he is a "Very strong and athletic....Good shot blocker....Runs the floor well...Can occassionally hit the open jumper....Doeesn' have much of an offensive game....foul prone." Sounds good enough for me. The Nuggets can match anything that he gets....but I am willing to pay the extra money that will force them to blink when it comes to resigning him.

Alot.....but they have drafted alot of players that actually pan out. Not every team drafts lottery players that always produce.

Beyond Chandler and Curry....they have drafted...and signed...players like Hinrich, Gordon, Nocioni, Deng, and Duhon. Paxson was good and tough enough to snag a #2 draft pick from Zeke AND the rights to switch draft picks with the Knicks...which will most likely be better then their pick. Its like they keep on adding and adding while getting better.

I just hope that we are that lucky when we start our rebuilding process. I know that it took a while them to get back out of lottery land....but the Bulls show you what a good GM and coach can do for a team.

Re: Free Agent list

Bernard Robinson is an incredibly smart basketball player. His bball IQ is up there at the top. He's not great athletically, about average for a wingman. Has a decent mid-range game on offense, but teams usually leave him wide open from 20'+ Very good on-the-ball and help defender.

Re: Free Agent list

I honestly don't see anyone I want. And if they give Peja six years, $70 million... oh dear. We are going to NEED that money for Danny Granger and some of our other young guys down the line. On pure merit Peja might not be starting for us by the All-Star break THIS year, forget five years from now.

Re: Free Agent list

I honestly don't see anyone I want. And if they give Peja six years, $70 million... oh dear. We are going to NEED that money for Danny Granger and some of our other young guys down the line. On pure merit Peja might not be starting for us by the All-Star break THIS year, forget five years from now.

I agree with you there...especially when we need to resign Granger...and hopefully Harrison before then.